Tooth Abscess
Health Benefits

Onion for Tooth Abscess Relief: Natural Pain Remedy

| Modified on Nov 04, 2024
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Red Onion.

Onions have been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various health issues, including tooth abscesses. Thanks to their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, onions can help reduce infection and alleviate the pain associated with a tooth abscess. Here’s how onions can help and how to use them effectively.

How Onions Help with a Tooth Abscess

  • Antibacterial Properties: Onions contain sulfur compounds, such as allicin, that have potent antibacterial effects. These compounds can help combat the bacteria causing the infection in a tooth abscess.
  • Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The anti-inflammatory properties of onions can help reduce swelling and pain in the affected area, providing relief from the discomfort caused by the abscess.
  • Pain Relief: Chewing raw onion or placing a piece of onion directly on the affected tooth can help numb the pain due to its natural analgesic effects.

How to Use Onion for a Tooth Abscess

There are a few simple methods to use onion for relief from a tooth abscess:

  1. Chewing Raw Onion: Cut a small piece of raw onion and chew it on the side of your mouth where the abscess is located. Chew for a few minutes to release the onion’s juices, which will help fight the infection and reduce pain.
  2. Placing Onion on the Affected Tooth: If chewing is too painful, place a small piece of raw onion directly on the affected tooth and gums. Leave it there for 10-15 minutes to allow the onion’s properties to work on the infection.
  3. Onion Juice Rinse: Extract the juice from a small onion by blending or grating it. Mix the juice with warm water and use it as a mouth rinse. Swish it around the affected area for a few minutes, then spit it out.

Final Thoughts

Using onions as a natural remedy for a tooth abscess can provide temporary relief from pain and help reduce the infection. However, while onions can be effective for managing symptoms, they should not replace professional dental care. If you suspect a tooth abscess, it’s important to consult a dentist as soon as possible to address the underlying issue.

Have you tried using onion for a tooth abscess? Share your experiences and tips! Continue reading below for advice from Earth Clinic readers who have successfully used natural remedies for dental issues.

Related Links:

Effective Natural Remedies for Tooth Abscess Relief


5 User Reviews


Posted by Christi (Louisiana) on 07/31/2024
★★★★★

Onion in Sock Overnight for Tooth Infection

I had a severe tooth infection. Due to antibiotic sensitivity, I tried every natural remedy I read about: chewing raw garlic (which just kept me afloat), salt water, raw honey, whatever I could think of... 4 days later, I was severely ill. My friend suggested cutting up a fresh onion and putting it in a sock. Then, to put the sock on my foot overnight. I got a red organic onion and did as she instructed. The next morning, the onion was slimy (as expected) and my infection symptoms were nearly entirely out of my body. After one more night of the red onion treatment I had no more problems....

Okay...now, it's been 4 years and I still can't eat cold foods as I'm 'prone to infection' but hadn't gotten one since. The dentist said, after doing a cold sensitivity test, that he believes it's possibly a 'reversible' pulpitis and wants me to do an antibiotic before considering a root canal. He said, the 'clue' to it being severe/irreversible is that I'd be in a lot of pain (like I'd had 4 years prior) So...I'm going to try the natural 'first'. I'll go back to the red onion, add in some food grade H2O2 to gargle as well as warm salt water.

What I 'think' is that I needed to continue with the red onion until I had no problems at all. OR... the red onion wasn't enough to 'pull' the infection out of the tooth, but only out of my body.

I will keep this post updated, but I just felt it's of good note that the onion in the sock has so much good effect.


Onion
Posted by Dee (Decatur, Illinois) on 01/02/2023
★★★★★

I accidentally discovered the red onion method for a tooth abscess. I had a sandwich that had red onions. Because of my craggy tooth a piece of onion got caught in it. After trying to get it out for about 10 minutes, using my tongue and mouth suction with the lips closed, I finally got it out...... followed by pus. The onion being there started pulling out the infection. AWESOME STUFF!


Onion
Posted by Dan W (Woodstock, NY) on 04/23/2020
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I'm surprised this remedy isn't up already on the tooth abscess section: Red onion. Actually, any onion will do, but red onion seems to work the fastest. Slice up a raw red onion, bit by bit. Hold a slice in your mouth and chew slowly for about 15-30 minutes. Repeat as necessary. The pus and phlegm should drain right out, and the inflammation should go way down. It worked like magic for me. I was experiencing severe pain to the point of shooting pains into my skull and through my jaw, even starting to go down my neck. (eek!) This stopped the infection and the symptoms dead in its tracks.

Replied by Angela
(NC)
10/22/2020

Hi Dan,

How many days were you on the onion treatment? I'm having problems with pain. Thank you in advance for your reply.


Onion
Posted by SallyAnn (Andrews, Indiana) on 08/12/2008
★★★★★

Onion skin takes away pain and swelling on tooth abcesses. I used a peeled piece of onion enough to cover the abcess.

Replied by Susan
(Spokane, Washington)
01/01/2009
★★★★★

I didn't actually use the onion skin remedy for my toothache but I did use raw onion large enough to be placed over the affected tooth and that almost instantly removed the pain.